From lab to market: removing gender barriers to turn research into growth drivers

[Press release]

Hà Nội, Viet Nam — More than 180 representatives from government agencies, universities, research institutes, women intellectual networks, the business community, investment funds, development partners, international organizations and the United Nations gathered at the international conference “Women Scientists to Market: Building an Ecosystem to Support Women Scientists in the Green and Digital Economy.”

The conference was co-organized by UN Women and the Viet Nam Association for Intellectual Women (VAFIW) to advance solutions that help women scientists translate research into real-world applications, contributing to innovation, green transition and digital transformation in Viet Nam.

Although women account for 46 per cent of Viet Nam’s research and development (R&D) workforce, many women-led research continue to face significant barriers to commercialization. Women lead only 25.5 per cent of science and technology research projects, while the share of women receiving patents, utility solutions, industrial designs and plant variety protections remain between 13 and 20 per cent.

Participants emphasized that the greatest challenge lies not only in generating new knowledge, but also in ensuring women scientists have access to the resources needed to bring that knowledge into practice. Many women researchers continue to face difficulties accessing investment capital, start-up acceleration programmes, commercialization advisory services, opportunities for collaboration with businesses, and innovation networks

Globally, the gap between research and commercialization is often referred to as the “Valley of Death” – the stage at which many promising innovations fail to develop into viable products or commercial solutions. For women scientists, this gap is often wider due to gender-related barriers in accessing finance, leadership opportunities, professional networks and the unequal burden of unpaid care work.

Participants stressed that supporting women scientists’ access to markets is not only a matter of gender equality but also an urgent requirement for innovation and economic growth. As Viet Nam pursues its goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045 and accelerates its digital and green transitions, addressing these barriers is directly linked to the country’s competitiveness and long-term development prospects.

International experiences shared during the conference from Canada, Finland, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia and Colombia highlighted that successful innovation ecosystems rely on effective linkages among scientists, universities, businesses, investors and policymakers. These connections are essential for narrowing the gap between research and market application.

Speaking at the conference, Caroline Nyamayemombe, UN Women Representative in Viet Nam, stated:

“Gender equality is not only a matter of social justice; it is also an economic imperative. Let us work together to build an ecosystem where no talent is wasted, no innovation is left behind, and every woman scientist can contribute fully to Viet Nam’s green and digital future.”

Prof. Dr. Lê Thị Hợp, President of the Viet Nam Association for Intellectual Women, noted:

“Vietnamese women scientists have demonstrated their capabilities, creativity and adaptability. What is needed now is a stronger ecosystem that connects science with investment, research with business, and innovation with the market.”

At the close of the conference, participants called for increased investment in programmes supporting the commercialization of women-led research; expanded access to finance, mentorship and market connections; and the development of a more inclusive innovation ecosystem where women scientists can transform research ideas into solutions that generate economic and social value for Viet Nam.